Party Like It's 1991

Clockwise: Mariah Carey, C+C Music Factory, CeCe Peniston, and Deee-Lite.

It is Friday night, and time to hit the clubs! What, you can't go out tonight? Not to worry, I'll bring the music to you. That is, if you don't mind dancing to the hits of twenty years ago. for instance, the #1 song on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart for the first two weeks of 1991 was The Power of Love by the ingenious Deee-Lite. The song was off the debut album, World Clique, made by Towa Tei, DJ Dmitry, and the amazing Lady Miss Kier.



A few months later, Mariah Carey released the third single off her self-titled debut, and on March 16, 1991, Someday was on top of the Dance chart. The song not only topped the club chart, it made it all the way to the top of the Billboard Hot 100.



For two weeks at the end of summer, C+C Music Factory presents Freedom Williams & Zelma Davis ruled the Dance chart with Things That Make You Go Hmmm. For the weeks of August 31 and September 7, 1991, it was perched at #1. The song made it to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well.



And as fall changed to winter, a new singer was breaking out on the scene when her first single grabbed the attention and interest of the clubbers. For the weeks of October 26 and November 2, 1991, CeCe Peniston was singing her heart out on Finally. Just barely 22 years old, Peniston was letting her voice be heard, and the exposure at the clubs was leading to airplay and sales, and the single went to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as well.



Hope your volume was loud and your moves were bold.

Billboard Top 5 - 1985

25 years ago, I was living in Brooklyn, working Off-Broadway theater in Greenwich Village, a poor, but happy camper. While working at the theater, the radio was often on, so I knew all three of these songs well, although only one or two was really a part of my record collection at that point. And, I am sorry to say, it wasn't the song that was in fifth place, We Built This City by Starship. I apologize because I loved Jefferson Airplane, and thought Grace Slick truly rocked. I might have tolerated the move to become Jefferson Starship, but when they went only by Starship, I had written them off. Listen to Grace and the boys sing this song, and tell me you don't think they are capable of way better...



There is some Pop music you just have to accept at face value - it is what it is. Huey Lewis and the News is one of those - a band that created catchy hooks and fun music, but it wasn't really gonna be breaking any boundary, or moving you with insightful reflection. Don't get me wrong, some music has to be like that, and Huey and the boys did it well. Here is the #4 song of the year, The Power of Love. If I am not mistaken, it was the theme song to one of the Back To The Future movies.



I will admit to having a weird fascination for the # 3 song, Mr. Mister's Broken Wing. Well, truthfully, I had a much greater interest in the song Kyrie, which was released immediately following this one, but liked this one, too. Partially, it was my interest in Richard Page's vocals, as well as the nicely structured musical accompaniment. Could be the beautifully photographed videos that went with the band, but you never know for sure. Just know I liked them, and these songs found their way into my listening rotation.



OK, I was already a fan of Tears For Fears since the first album, 1983s The Hurting. The complex music aligned with the introspective lyrics made the band a perfect brooding English schoolboy-like crush, and I was there. Songs From The Big Chair was released in 1985, and was a great follow-up to the debut, with more polish while still keeping the elements. Here is the #2 song of 1985, the primal Shout.



On one hand, how can you not like REO Speedwagon? I mean, they are a classic American rock band, and don't think they ever released anything as embarrassing as J. Geils Band's Centerfold song. On the other hand, I don't really remember many of their songs when I think of them, more like just a thought of a fun band. When I heard this, I knew the song instantly, but if someone had asked me what was their top song of 1985, I don't know if I would have had an answer. Anyway, this is Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon. Enjoy!

Sunday Morning with Eran Badinerie

Eran Badinerie is a wonderful artist and guitarist, offering up some beautiful songs on YouTube. I tried to look up some information about him, and I hit a bit of a brick wall, as his website sill in Hebrew, a language I don't speak. As I availed myself of some online translators, I think Eran is a musician/artist from Israel, possibly Tel Aviv. I also think he is a very handsome man, and I just love these instrumental covers of songs. His combination of styles, taking the pop/rock songs and using jazz and classical techniques to arrange his own version is both wonderful and relaxing.



The first song I will offer to you is Shape of My Heart, the 1993 song by Sting. While much of Sting's solo work had a jazz feel to it, Eran takes it even further,



Next he takes on a New Wave classic, the song Forever Young by Alphaville. It was playing everywhere in 1989, and Eran focus' on the inherent musicality of the song, lifting it up to a touching and beautiful performance.




In 1984, a little band named Frankie Goes To Hollywood released The Power of Love. With the band, the song was a wonderful ballad, driven by keyboards and the sensational voice of Holly Johnson, a completely different feel from acoustic guitar focusing on the inner beauty.




Big Log was a solo hit for Robert Plant in 1983. Bold, brash and soulful, warmly blanketing Plant's wonderful voice. Here is just a wonderful version of it for you to enjoy.



You can find Eran on Facebook here. Should you be interested, you can purchase his Dreamin' CD at CD Baby here.